A molecular modeling session can lose momentum for a surprisingly ordinary reason: you know what you want to do, but the panel, command, or setting you need is nowhere in sight. The viewport may be familiar, while the Document view, Inspector, History, and other tools compete for space around it. A quick map of the interface—and a few shortcuts—can make it easier to get back to the science.
In SAMSON, the interface is organized around several distinct areas. The viewport displays the document in three dimensions, while the Document view shows its structure. The Inspector provides access to parameters for selected nodes, such as atoms, residues, and molecules. The History lists actions that have been performed. Other useful areas include the menu, status bar, Asset Browser, and Animator.
Start with the job you are trying to do
When instructions refer to a panel by name, use that name as your starting point. Need to inspect a selected molecule or one of its components? Look for the Inspector. Want to understand the document’s structure? Find the Document view. Need to review the sequence of actions? Open History. If you are assembling a system from available atoms, fragments, or molecules, the Asset Browser is the relevant area; for presentations and animation effects, look to the Animator.
This simple distinction can prevent a common source of frustration: confusing the three-dimensional view with the structural view. The viewport answers “what does the document look like in 3D?” The Document view answers “how is the document organized?” They show different representations of the same working document.
Bring a panel back without hunting
You can show or hide several interface areas from the Interface menu, or use keyboard shortcuts. On Windows, the shortcuts use Ctrl; on macOS, use Cmd. The number keys provide a compact panel map:
- 1: Document view
- 2: Inspector
- 3: History
- 4: Asset Browser
- 5: Periodic table
- 6: Job manager
- 7: Animator
- 8: Python console
- 9: Code Editor
For example, use Ctrl+2 on Windows or Cmd+2 on macOS to show or hide the Inspector. The same pattern applies to the other numbered areas. SAMSON AI is assigned Ctrl+0 on Windows and Cmd+0 on macOS. These shortcuts are useful when a panel is hidden or when you want to reach a tool without searching through menus.
Make the workspace fit your task
If a panel is in the way, you are not limited to its default position. The Document view, History, Inspector, and other dockable widgets can be moved by dragging a widget’s title bar and releasing it where you want it. This lets you arrange the workspace around the task at hand. Some windows, including certain Apps, may also have a Pin icon that keeps the window on top.
Workspaces offer another way to change the menu representation. For commands, Apps, and editors you use repeatedly, add them to favorites. Favorites appear in dedicated sections at the top of the ribbon menu and in the Editors viewport menu. You can remove an item by clicking its star icon.
When you do not know where a command lives, try Find everything at the top of the menu. It searches available commands, Apps, editors, and documentation. You can also add commands, Apps, and editors to favorites from the search results by clicking the star that appears when you hover over an item. That gives you a practical cycle: search once, favorite tools you use often, and reach them more directly next time.
Your interface customization is saved and loaded the next time you open SAMSON, so arranging panels is not just a temporary fix. Once you know where the key areas are, you can move on to camera control in Moving around, open a structure with Loading molecules, or consult the full SAMSON Interface reference. For the original quick tour, see First look: the interface.
Note: SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. Get SAMSON.